Sixty percent of the world’s population uses medicines derived from plants to treat their ailments, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Diabetic herbal medicine, for the most part, is used around the world because it has lesser side effects and a lower cost. Many of the herbal medicines used are traditional and have a long history of use.
Many conventional drugs have been derived from the molecules of medicinal plants. Metformin for example was developed based on the use of Galegaofficinalis which is rich in guanidine, a component that lowers blood glucose. However, out of the 400 traditional plant treatments known, only a small few have received any kind of scientific or medical evaluation. Therefore, it is unknown how many herbal cures may be out there.
The World Health Organization Expert Committee on diabetes recommended that traditional diabetes herbal medicine be further investigated. Following this, a study was launched to study different that traditional diabetes herbal medicine be further investigated. Following this, a study was launched to study different types of herbal medicines commonly used in India.
Diabetic Herbal Medicine Findings
In the study described above there were many helpful findings pertaining to diabetic herbal medicine. Some herbal medicines had properties that were found helpful in treating diabetic complications as well. The herbs that the study found beneficial include:
Babhul– Powdered seeds of this plant were found to cause the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells, causing hypoglycemic effects in the normal rabbits being tested.
Bengal Quince, Bel, or Bliva– Extract of these leaves were found to improve digestion, reduce blood sugar, and serum cholesterol. While causing hypoglycemic activity, it also prevented the peak rise in blood sugar in oral glucose tolerance tests in rats.
Onion – Dried onion powder showed anti-hyperglycemic effects in diabetic rabbits. This herb has also been found to have antioxidant effects that could be helpful in diabetes treatment. In rats, onions controlled the blood glucose levels and were beneficial to lipids, tissues, and the liver. In people, a 50g oral dose of onion juice significantly helped glucose levels.
Garlic – Garlic was found to increase the insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. In rabbits, the herb was found to decrease fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels. Garlic was also found to contain amino acids that help control lipid peroxidation better than insulin, and also exhibited anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and cardio protective activities.
Aloe – Extracts of aloe gum increased glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic rats. It also had hypoglycemic effects caused by the stimulation and release of insulin from the pancreatic beta cells. Finally, it’s anti-inflammatory effects may be helpful in improving the healing of wounds.
